Telefónica announced in a press release (see press release here), “Telefónica, Mozilla and ZTE today announced the world’s first commercial launch of Firefox OS with the ZTE Open available at Movistar stores from 2 July priced at €69 (inc. VAT), including €30 for prepaid customers and the option of zero interest financing for post pay customers.

“The launch marks a significant moment for the mobile phone industry with consumers able for the first time to buy a smartphone based entirely on open web standards. Firefox OS frees consumers and developers from the constraints of existing closed ecosystems by using the web as the platform for all functionality and applications.”

Telefónica España CEO, Luis Miguel Gilpérez, said, “We believe that smartphones need to be more open and that the web is the platform for making this possible. Consumers should not be locked to any one system but have the choice to consume the content they want and the flexibility to be able to take it with them when they change devices. This first open web device marks a significant milestone in making this possible. This is just the beginning as we plan to bring a wide range of Firefox OS devices to our customers.”

Mozilla Chief Operating Officer, Jay Sullivan, said, “The launch of Firefox OS marks an incredibly exciting time for the mobile industry. Firefox OS powers the first smartphones built entirely on Web technologies and will stimulate an inspiring new wave of innovation for the Web.”

Sadly, the UK will not be getting the ZTE Open just yet. Mozilla, however, promises that more launches will follow.

Want to get your hands on the ZTE Open powered by the Firefox OS? We’ll let you know once the handset lands in the UK.